Garard was the first Australian male to finish in the top three at the world event since its inception 11 years ago. 

The Mittagong gym owner won two individual events at the games and was also awarded the title of Rookie of the Games for achieving his bronze placing in his first appearance. 

Garard was one of five Australian men who qualified to compete at the games in the USA after scoring one of five ‘golden tickets’ at the Australian Regional CrossFit Championships earlier this year. 

The CrossFit Games is regarded as one of the toughest sporting events on earth, testing competitors’ strength, speed, fitness and endurance over 13 gruelling, multi-discipline workouts.

Events included cycling, swimming, running, muscle ups, weightlifting, hand stand push ups and obstacle courses.

A young member of the Benton CrossFit gym and Bowral High School student Tyler Hickey also competed at his first CrossFit Games in Wisconsin in the teens 14-15 age division.

Tyler finished with an overall 12th placing with a second and fourth finish in two of the 10 events.

Several of Ricky and Tyler’s family members and friends travelled to the US to support the duo while thousands of others across Australia cheered via an online stream of the event. 

Garard said he couldn’t have done so well without all the support. 

“I’d like thank my supporters who were behind me all the way,” he said.

“This was my toughest contest yet, competing against the world’s best but I put the hard work in and was laser-focused on what I had to do.

“I’m so happy to come home with third place.”